Barrier Management
A Barrier Is Only Real When It Can Perform
Procedures, alarms, isolations, interlocks, containment and competent supervision are designed to prevent an unwanted event or reduce its consequences. A barrier may still appear on a checklist even when it is impaired, bypassed or poorly understood. Before relying on any critical control, confirm that it is available, effective and supported by a clear response if conditions move outside the safe plan.
Controls to confirm
- Identify the critical barriers for the task and confirm who is responsible for each one.
- Verify that alarms, isolations, safeguards and physical controls are available and not impaired or bypassed.
- Stop and reassess the work whenever a critical barrier is unavailable, uncertain or no longer effective.
Today’s action
Before the job begins, select one critical barrier and physically verify its status with the work party.
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